Chinese netizens have begun a viral campaign to post photos of local government buildings. Chinasmack has translated some of the comments and posted photos from some of the country’s most popular BBS forums here.
Go to Chinasmack.com to see more photos.
My friend Mike and I would always harp on the excessive brutishness of China’s government buildings. Discussing our own experiences travelling throughout the country, we came up with a set of laws:
People from Wenzhou are known to love showing off their wealth. Apparently, this goes for the local government as well.
1. In any given city, county, or dirt road village, the three nicest buildings in town will be the government office, the State Grid electric office, and the China Telecom office (all state-run).
I've been to Wuxi. Next to nothing happening there, but big interest in turning it into an industrial zone.
2. Of each government building, 7 out of 10 offices are empty or unused.
I'm thinking the missing windows are unfinished offices. Zero percent chance this place is full.
3. Of the 3 in 10 offices used, the three principle activities being carried out inside will be (1) smoking cigarettes, (2) drinking tea, (3) napping. Honorable mention: playing ping pong, drinking baijiu, writing threatening letters to local land owners or environmental advocates.
Walked by this building dozens of times, never saw more than one or two people going in and out.
4. Never forget that China’s government buildings primary purpose is intimidation to the masses, straight out of the old USSR handbook. “Look upon my works, ye mighty, and despair!”
5. China’s government buildings will always be the last to collapse in a disaster (i.e. Sichuan 2008) or fall in a war. They look like bunkers because they are bunkers.
Let's see... concrete? Check.
6. For every Chinese that thinks of the buildings as excessive and wasteful there are two that are proud of its representing a strong China.
By far my favorite. I wonder why?
